Cidell asked me what I thought of Aretha’s hat. Well this is why it was such a stunning choice. Now just imagine that you are in the audience at this momentous occasion. Imagine what those huge (12mm) Swarovski stones look like in the bright winter sun. Imagine being so far away that you can’t actually see her, but you can hear that voice and the rhinestones are flashing in your eyes while she’s singing. You cry because they are so bright and it hurts but also because of the emotion in the moment. Aretha was the Statute of Liberty, her brilliant hat was her crown and the microphone was her torch.